India, Feb. 9 -- A sessions court on Saturday acquitted 62-year-old Vilas Balaram Pawar, alias Raju Chikana, an alleged member of the Chhota Rajan gang, in an attempt to murder case dating back to 1991. Pawar, who had been absconding for 16 years, was rearrested last month and put on trial.

Notorious gangster Chhota Rajan (Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje) led a gang involved in extortion, murder, smuggling, and drug trafficking. Convicted in several cases, including the murder of a journalist, he is currently serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail, Delhi.

Raju Chikna's acquittal relates to a 1991 incident where he and three other alleged gang members reportedly opened fire on Shaukat Ali Ahamadali outside his Govandi home. The attack was alleg...